


Jfs-" 




. c°- ,.,^::;"°o 



■J 



•^o- ^^'' 



'm. '\^. 














^O *'7.^^ 


<V ^ 


"^^ 


<^^ 


O Xv 


, " , ^ 


O .^ ' 




1- -ov*- 


:0^: " 


/"\.^'".' 


^ ,%^' 











^^0^ 






:^ 



'..6:^, 



,n o. 



'^r. ^ 



^ 






4 O 
^4> ^ 






<^. 



'h - 






'.^#^'\pO-' ■ 






f: ^° -'<*-, 


':"■-■■■ .^^ 



:s§^:" .f^ 



,s -., 






^ "-Jw{^^* 



A 



^^^■^ 



^ ■ -'-^^l^^r 



|T^^ 



S.P, 






...■^^^ 



DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED 



S)ne i^unureti anD fiftr gearg ago. 



By GEORGE WEEKES, 

OF HARWICH, MASS. 



WITH A PREFACE BY SIDNEY BROOKS, 

A DESCENDANT. 



CA]\I BRIDGE: 

PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON. 

1876. 



' l^/i^-t- 



DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED 



£)ne i^mtDrea ann iiiVf. gcargs ago. 



By GEORGE WEEKES, 

OF HARWICH, MASS. 



WITH A PREFACE BY SIDNEY BROOKS, 

A DESCENDANT. 



CAMBRIDGE: 

PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON. 
1876. 






/■ 



PREFACE. 



T^HE wonderful escape of Ebenezer Tay- 
lor, of Yarmouth, who was buried up 
for ten or twelve hours in a deep well, and 
afterwards dug out alive ; and the preaching 
of a sermon on the occasion, by George 
Weekes, of Harwich, my mother's ancestor, 
— was one of the many stories that she used 
to relate to her children. 

The event occurred, August 6, 1726. The 
discourse was prepared soon after the rescue 
of Mr. Taylor, and appears to have been 
delivered with all the ceremony of a funeral 
sermon ; Mr. Taylor himself, his wife, and 
his children being separately addressed. 

The only copy known to be extant was in 
possession of the late Amos Otis, Esq., and 
was found among the historical documents 
and other papers — printed and manuscript — 



IV 



left in his donation to the Yarmouth Library ; 
and was obtained by the writer through the 
courtesy of the Committee. It is covered 
with coarse woolen cloth, much moth-eaten ; 
very much worn, but well preserved for a 
book one hundred and fifty years old. Ap- 
pended to the discourse is a treatise on Fash- 
ion, addressed to his son ; making in all a 
book or pamphlet of fifty printed pages. 

Since the writing of this Preface, another 
copy has been found, in the Massachusetts 
Historical Society's Library, from which we 
have been permitted to supply the title-page 
and other portions torn away from the other 
copy. 

It is hoped that in the next Centennial year 
of our Independence, a.d. 1976, some other 
descendant of George Weeks, if existing here, 
will again perpetuate this heirloom, if neces- 
sary, by another reprint. 

GEORGE WEEKES 

was great-grandson of George Weekes, one 
of the one hundred " godly people " who came 



from England in a ship with Rev. Richard 
Mather, in 1635, and settled in Dorchester, 
Mass. ; having married, in England, Jane 
Clapp, sister of Capt. Roger Clapp, and hav- 
ing with him his little son, Ammiel, two 
years old. 

The son, Ammiel, is mentioned in the his- 
tory of Dorchester, in 1673, as one of the 
constables of the town. He had sons, Am- 
miel, Ebenezer, and Joseph ; and daughters, 
Thankful and Elizabeth. 

Ammiel Weekes, Jr., married Abigail Pres- 
cott, daughter of William Prescott ; and had a 
son, Ammiel, a daughter, Abigail, and another 
son, George, who came to Cape Cod, and 
was known as a preacher to the Indians. 
He removed his relation from the Old South 
Church in Boston in the year 1720, and 
joined the church in Harwich, North Side, 
now Brewster, then under the care of Rev. 
Nathaniel Stone. He married Deborah Wing, 
and afterwards lived on the south side of the 
town. 

It is the glory of Cape Cod that the early 
settlers lived in peace with the Indians ; and, 



VI 



so far from wa2:inGf with them a war of ex- 
termination, made early efforts for their con- 
version to Christianity." Cotemporary with 
Eliot, who had at Natick and Nonantum, his 
eleven hundred praying Indians; and the 
Mayhews, who at Martha's Vineyard and 
Nantucket, numbered their fifteen hundred ; 
and Richard Bourne, who commenced the 
w^ork on the main-land of the Cape ; and 
Robert Treat, who gathered his flock of five 
hundred at Nauset and the lower towns, — 
were other good men who bore a part in these 
labors, whose names do not appear on the 
pages of history ; who, perhaps, engaged in 
it as a private enterprise. Among these was 
George Weekes. He was not liberally edu- 
cated, but well read in the theological books 
of his day, as the large folios of his, now in 
the hands of his descendants, will show. He 
probably pursued the vocation of a farmer 
while he instructed his red brethren, who yet 
lingered in considerable numbers in the town. 
The Indian meeting-house stood near the 
Long Pond. Here he taught his dusky con- 
gregation how to worship aright the Great 



Vll 



Spirit, whom they ah*eady worshipped accord- 
incr to the dim lio^fit of Nature. 

It was a strange Providence that scattered 
this flock sooner than the gradual melting 
away of the race would have diminished it. 
The shepherd himself was smitten. The last 
end of the good man is generally peaceful, 
and he comes to his grave " like a shock of 
corn fully ripe." But again he is brought to 
grief in old age, and his sun is obscured 
before it sets, and goes down in clouds and 
darkness and tempest. No one knows the 
exact cause of tlie grief that oppressed him 
and ended in lunacy. He received an admo- 
nition from Mr. Stone for preaching to a part 
of his congregation in private houses. The 
document, now in my possession, contains 
Scripture references to the effect that laymen 
should not preach. The " unkindest cut of 
all " is a quotation from Chronicles, signifying 
that one of the kings of Israel " made priests 
of the lowest of the people." That a work 
now so prized by the churches, namely, lay- 
preaching and mission-chapels, should be con- 
demned as hostile to the spirit of the gospel, 



Vlll 



which was with him "as fire shut up in his 
bones," was, perhaps, a sufficient cause for the 
beclouding of his mind. 

HIS DEATH. 

My mother s story concluded thus : — 
"In his wanderings from place to place, he 
returned home only at nightfall, or at the call 
of hunger or fatigue. On one of those winter 
days when the sun grows dim soon after noon- 
time, and the short day is made shorter by 
thickening clouds, he had travelled very far 
from home before he began to retrace his 
steps. A rising east wind drives the snow- 
flakes full in his face, and the storm and dark- 
ness gather upon him when he is yet far 
from the fireside and waiting-board of the 
relative who looked after him. 

" The deep hollow south-west from the meet- 
ing-house, where the school-boys play ball in 
winter and hunt for birds'-nests and squirrels, 
in the surrounding pines and ground-oaks, 
in summer, was once a dismal-looking place. 
None liked to pass through it alone after 



IX 



night-fall : for here George Weekes perished 
in the snow. The valley was not open on 
the south, as now, to a pleasant field ; nor 
was there a public road passing through it ; 
neither was Nathaniel Robbins's house stand- 
ing, as now, on the western declivity, nor 
Nathaniel Robbins's fun* near the bottom. 
But tall trees grew on the northern, eastern, 
and western sides, and a thick growth of 
underwood and still larger trees grew on the 
lowest ground, and interlocked their branches 
over the blind path that led through it, and 
made it dark even at mid-day. When he 
reached this hollow, the surly north-easter 
was howling through the trees, and the blind- 
ing snow was driving furiously, and filling up 
all the sheltered places. He returned to the 
nearest house. Only children were at home, 
and they refused to admit him. He descend- 
ed again into the valley, which he must cross 
to reach home; but he never ascended the 
opposite side. All objects seemed strange to 
the bewildered man. His strength failed, a 
sleep came over him, — his last sleep. The 

* Place for making lampblack. 



snow, covering him deeply, became his wind- 
ing sheet ; and the winds, now roaring Hke 
the ocean, now moaning among the boughs 
of the rocking pines, now screaming through 
the leafless branches of the oaks above his 
head, sung his funeral dirge." 

HIS MONUMENT. 

Entering the New-Cemetery lot by the 
main avenue, and passing the level portion 
already laid out, and looking from the brow 
of the hill across the " Tupelo Swamp," you 
see on the rising ground, sheltered by the 
native pines, a group of eight graves of adult 
persons, all having slabs of slate, with inscrip- 
tions perfectly legible though nearly a hun- 
dred years old. In the midst of this group, 
on a granite base, stands a tablet of white 
marble recently erected, bearing on one side 
the family name of " WEEKES," and on the 
other the following : — 



XI 



GEORGE WEEKES, 

Born in Dorchester, Mass., a.d. 1689. 

Moved to Harwich ; 

Married Deborah Wing, October 15, 17 14. 

Preached to the Indians. 

Perished in a Snow-storm, when an Old Man, in 

THE Hollow 100 Rods South from this Spot. 

He was Great-Grandson of George Weekes, who 

came to America in 1635, having descended 

FROM the Huguenots that fled early 

TO England. 

The remains that rest in these graves, with 
others that had no monuments, were removed 
from the ancient burial-place on the old 
Parsonage Lot, now in possession of P. L. 
Underwood, Esq., of Chicago, who has nobly 
redeemed it. The tablet of George Weekes 
was erected by Colonel Henry C. Brooks, of 
Boston, a descendant by his mother's side. 

The immediate descendants of George 
Weekes, who lived in Harwich, preserved 
the family traits that marked their Hugue- 
not extraction. 

A son of George was Ammiel ; the fourth 
of that name from the first George who came 
to America. He lived where Isaac Weekes's 



xu 



house stands, on the high ground overlooking 
the surrounding woods and the sea. He was 
a widower in the later part of his life. My 
mother remembers that every Saturday after- 
noon, when the sun was yet high, he would 
come in from his work, wash, shave, take his 
frugal supper of bread and milk, and sit 
down to the reading of his Bible. He made 
salt in a vat from sea-water brought from the 
shore. He was one of the constables of Har- 
wich, but resigned his office when required to 
collect taxes for the support of the gospel. 

The oldest son of Ammiel was Captain 
Ebenezer Weekes. Each son established 
his residence nearer the south shore than his 
father had done. Our grandfather. Captain 
Weekes, chose the rich, level land bordering 
on the sea, Andrews River, and the Trout 
Brook; to which he added large tracts of 
woodland and meadow, lying a mile and a 
half below our village, where was a similar 
estate of Grandfather Brooks. He built salt- 
works at the mouth of the river ; spread his 
fish-flakes over the level beach, and worked 
early and late with his own hand in his ship- 



XIU 



yard. From timber cut in his own woods he 
built vessels that sailed to the " Banks," the 
Straits of Belle Isle, the West Indies, and 
to the Mediterranean. He encouraged every 
branch of industry; building a small factory 
for the weaving of cloth, containing all the 
machinery then used in hand-power. He 
likewise erected a wash-house over the brook, 
for the free use of, all his neighbors ; also a 
school-house at his own expense. Looking 
over the exhausted land that was his home- 
stead, one can hardly believe that such a farm 
and orchard, such corn-fields and mowing- 
lands, such a valuable estate as was his, could 
have existed there. His house stood remote 
from the sea-shore, sheltered on the north by 
a stately forest of gigantic pines, only two 
representatives of which stood alone for many 
years ; the one south-westerly from Captain 
Cyrus Weekes's house, on his lot ; the other, 
on sister Anna's lot, farther to the east. It 
was the largest house in the town for that 
time ; of two stories, having a hopper-roof, 
surmounted by a balcony which commanded 
a view of the sea ; having a portico in front, 



XIV 



well finished in its front-rooms and spacious 
in its dining-room and kitchen. It was sur- 
rounded by- a large orchard of great variety of 
trees that came up to the very " back door," and 
overhung the " porch " and old well. It was 
still farther protected by a row of locust-trees 
on the east, that bordered the carriage-way, — 
each tree serving for a post that supported a 
four-rail fence, — and on the west by a row 
of Balm of Gileads by the brook, with grape- 
vines climbing to their tops. A barn suitable 
for such a place, and of corresponding dimen- 
sions, stood south-easterly from the house. 

When a small boy, his mechanical genius 
caused him to receive the censure of his 
father for being exercised on the Lord's day. 
He went with him to meetins^ on the " north 
side," a seven-miles' walk. At a house by 
the Long Pond where they stopped to rest, 
he so carefully inspected a wooden spoon that 
took his fancy, that he was able, with his 
father's tools, to produce a fac-simile of the 
spoon on Monday. Though admiring the 
work, his father reproved him, telling him 
that, although he did not work with his hands, 



XV 



he had nevertheless broken God's law, by so 
closely observing the model on the Holy Day. 
I do not remember Grandfather Weekes, but 
the man was long seen in his works. I do re- 
member his funeral. The awful calamity by 
which he lost his life I could not understand. 
In the darkness of early morning he missed 
his footing on the haymow, and fell to the 
threshing-floor, dislocating the spinal col- 
umn. He died in great agony of body the 
next day, though calm in mind at the parting 
moment. 

I remember playing on the stairs in the 
front hall, amid the great concourse of people 
that came to the funeral of Captain Weekes. 
While I examined the curious mouldings, 
and traced out the figures in the paper- 
hangings, the fervent words of Mr. Barnaby, 
softened by his heart-felt sorrow for his true 
friend, would take my attention. 

Friendly to all ministers, and a great lover 
of theological discussions, he frequently in- 
vited them to his house. Though piously in- 
clined, he never had joined the church. He 
was a man of great physical, as well as moral, 



XVI 



courage. To the question, " Are you afraid 
to die ? " he gave this answer : " I am not 
afraid to die, but I am afraid to be dead." 

The children of Captain Ebenezer Weekes 
were, — 

Sons : Ebenezer, Cyrus, Fessenden, Darius, 
and Benjamin. 

Daughters : Sally, Phoebe, Dorothy, Han- 
nah, and Barbary, — all of whom are deceased 
except Barbary, who married Mr. Edward 
Smalley. 

Captain Cyrus Weekes died, July 4, 1872. 

The oldest daughter, Sally, married the 
late Obed Brooks, Esq., of Harwich. 

SIDNEY BROOKS. 

Harwich, 

October 30, 1876. 



EBENEZER: 

O R, 

A Faithful and Exacft 

ACCOUNT 

OF 

GOD's great Goodnefs 

TO 

Mr. Ctenejer Ca^lor. 

Of Yarmouth on Cape Cod; 

Who on the 6th Day oi Angujl 1726. was 
buried aUve about 12 Foot deep under 
Stones and Earth, in his own Well, 
where he lay for the Space of 10 Hours, 
and was afterwards taken up without any 
conliderable Hurt. 

With a Religious Improvement of fuch a 

Miraculous Deliverance. 

By George Weekes, 

Bojlon, Printed by T. Fleet, for the Author. 



( 5 ) 

The httroduSiion. 

PSALM CVII. 8, 15, 21, 31, 33. 

Oh that men would praife the Lord^ for his 
Goodnefs^ and for his wonderful Works 

to the Children of Men ! Whofo is 

wife and will obferve thofe thijigs, even 
they fiall underfland the loving kind^tefs 
of the Lord, 

OBSERVE, Firfi, There is fuch a Be- 
ing as God. 

Secondly, This God is abundant in Good- 
nefs, and wonderful in his Works to the 
Children of Men / 

Thirdly, Men are prone to forget the great 
Things that God hath done for them, and 
not give unto him, the Glory due unto his 
Name, upon the account thereof; \Oh that 
men would praife the Lord, &c.] q. d. The 
Duty of praifmg the Lord for his Goodnefs, 
&c. is too much negle6led among Men. I 
long to have it otherwife ! O that there were 
fuch an Heart in Men, as that when God is 
good to them, and works Wonders for them ; 
that then they would praife and magnifie 

his 



( 6 ) 

his great and glorious Name upon the ac- 
count thereof! 

Foitrthly, It is our indifpenfable Duty, to 
praife the Lord upon the account of the ex- 
preffions of his Goodnefs, and his wonder- 
ful Works to the Children of Men ! 

Fifthly, Some of the Works of God, are 
fignally Wonderful ; and we ought to take 
particular Notice of them, make our Remarks 
upon them ; and in an efpecial manner to 
praife the Lord upon the account thereof. 

And I think, that the wonderful Work 
that God hath done in our Day, with re- 
fpe6l to Ebeiiezer Taylor of Yarmouth, ought 
to be heedfully regarded by us, and that it 
is worthy to be had in everlafting Remem- 
brance. Well may we tell our Children of 
it, that fo our Children may tell their Chil- 
dren, and their Children another Genera- 
tion ; that fo they that defcend from us 
may be able to fay as in PfaL 44. i. We have 
heard with our Ears, O God, our Fathers have 
told us, what Work thou didcjl in their Day, in 
the Times of old. 

We have the Account of this wonderful 
Work in one of the News Letters of Boflon. 
This Account I have fliewed to Ebenezer 
Taylor, and got him to examine the Truth 
of it; and when he had fo done, he de- 
clared 



( 7 ) 

clared to me, that the Narrative was true, 
and that he had nothing to obje6l, except- 
ing what is faid of the Well's being 44, 
whereas he fuppofes it to be about 40 Foot 
deep. I fliall therefore tranfcribe that Nar- 
rative Word for Word, varying only with 
refped to the depth of the Well, and what 
follows by Confeqence. 

C H A P. I. 

Containing the NARRA T I V E. 

Yarmouth on Cape Cod, Aug. 8, 1726. 

AN awful and furprizing Providence 
that befel one Ebenezer Taylor, who 
was on Saturday the 6th Inftant buried 12 
Foot under Stones and Earth in his Well. 

Apprehending it may be of Service, I fliall 
give the Publick the following Narrative, 

The faid Taylor getting a Man to go down 
into his Well to clear it, the Man in sfoinor 
down about mid-way of the Well, which 
was about 40 Foot deep, obferved a Breach 
in the Wall, and being apprehenfive of 
Danger, would not proceed. Whereupon 
faid Taylor went down to view the Breach, 
and faw it as. he thought hazardous, fome 
Stones hanging loofe over the Breach : He 
taking hold of one of them, and ftirring it 



( 8) 

a little, the whole Body moved, and preffed 
down upon his Leg, and there ftayed, till 
with abundance of Difficulty in wringing 
and twifting, even to the difjointing of his 
Hip, he got it loofe ; and hanging by the 
Well-Rope, the whole body of Stones and 
Earth palled down by him, without hurting 
him, only racing the Skin of his Hands and 
Face, till it filled the Well 1 1 Foot from the 
Bottom. And then, as Providence order- 
ed it, the Stones juft over his Head, being 
fomewhat Large, and preffing fafler and in 
a Body, met together, bound each other, 
and made a fort of an Arch, which ftopt 
any more from paffing by him. And fo 
from thence it filled twelve Foot above him, 
there being about ten Foot vacant Space 
where he was. Here he continued at leafb 
ten Hours, hanging by his Hands on the 
Well-Rope, and having one Foot on the 
Stones of the Wall, and being forced alfo 
with a bite of the Rope to eafe up his o- 
ther lame Leg. And tho' in great Mifery 
by having his fleili torn, his Hip difjointed 
and holding up fo long; yet his Thoughts 
were free, and his Senfes quick about him 
for his own Prefervation. For tho' to all 
appearance in almoft as doleful a cafe as 
Jo7iah^ yet he had from the firft fome fmall 

hopes : 



( 9 ) 

hopes : And tho' as in the Belly of Hell, 
yet he cried unto the Lord, when none elfe 
could hear his Voice, or think him to be 
alive. 

It was fome Hours before Help could be 
obtained, and Preparations made for Diging, 
and near Night on the laft Day of the Week, 
before they could accomplilh to do any 
thing confiderable : upon which accounts 
fome were for leaving the Work till Mon- 
day, not imagining that life could be in 
him, and propofmg rather Diging for a dead 
Corps to bury him (it) again, than for a 
living Man ; But others had fuch a ftrong 
Impulfe on their Spirits, that they muft pro- 
ceed. Sometimes, fome would ftrain upon 
the Rope which was his main Stay, and as 
he feared, would get it from him. And 
once he perceived the Rope, which was his 
Sheet-Anchor, to come home, being loofen- 
ed, fo that he was afraid to bear upon it : 
And though he called with all the Life and 
Vigour he had to faften it, yet no Man 
heard him : But it pleafed God to diredl 
fome one to faflen it again ; thinking it 
might poffibly be of fome Service to thofe 
that were diging. And w^hen they got 
within three or four Foot of him they heard 
him, and found that he was not only alive, 

B but 



( lo) 

but alfo capable of advifing with them about 
the befl Methods of removing the Stones 
over his Head with fafety. With Care and 
Induftry they foon obtained his dehve- 
rance ; and his difjointed Bones being well 
reduced, he is like to do well. Oh that Men 
would praife the Lord for his Goodnefs, and for 
his wonderful Works to the Children of Men \ 

CHAP. n. 

Remarks 7ipon fome Paffages in the Nar- 
rative, 

THis Narrative is full of Wonders, fome 
of which I fliall take Notice of, and 
make fome Remarks upon. 

[Even to the dif jointing of his Hip he 
got it loofe] It is an obfervable Providence, 
that he fliould get his Leg loofe at that very 
inftant of time, w4ien his Hip was difjointed ; 
as it feems likely that he did. Had his Leg 
continued confin'd any confiderable time af- 
ter his Hip was difjointed, 'tis likely, that his 
difjointed Hip would have prevented his get- 
ting his Leg loofe. And then, how doleful 
had his cafe been / By what means would 
he have obtained relief? Who would have 
gone down to relieve him/ Or if they had, 

would 



( II ) 

would they not have been dafh'd to pieces 
themfelves ? [The whole body of Stones 
and Earth . palled down by him, without 
hurting him, only racing the fkin off his 
Hands and Face, till it filled the Well 
1 1 . Foot from the bottom.] 

If two or three Stones had pafs'd down 
by him, in this narrow Well without hurt- 
ing of him, it had been an obfervable Provi- 
dence. But that fuch a body of Stones and 
Earth fliould pafs down by him, in fuch a vi- 
olent manner (as he fays they did) and do 
him no more hurt, is what is truly wonderful 
and amazing ! 

[And then as Providence order'd it, the 
Stones juft over his Head being fomewhat 
large, and preffmg fafter and in a body met 
together, bound each other, and made a fort 
of an Arch which flop'd any more from 
paffmg by him, &c.~\ . 

This favourable Providence of God is very 
Remarkable. When the Well was firft Ston'd, 
God ordered in what part of the Well thefe 
larger Stones fliould be placed. He alfo di- 
rected and governed their Motion when they 
fell in, and made them meet together and 
bind one another fo as to be a means to 
prevent any more Stones paffmg down by 
him. When thofe Stones met together, 
B 2 there 



( 12 ) 

there was then a mighty Body of Stones 
coming down, w^hich, in utmofl Probabili- 
ty would fuddenly have killed the Man, if 
thefe Stones had not met together as they 
did. O that we had Hearts to give unto 
the Lord the Glory due unto his Name ! 

[But others had fuch a flrong impulfe 
upon their Spirits, that they muffc proceed.] 
It was an obfervable Providence that Spi- 
rited, and fo ftrongly inclined thefe Men to 
dig after a dead Corps, (as they fuppofed 
it was, and which they might think lay near 
the bottom of that deep Well) when it was 
fo near Night, and on the lafl: Day of the 
Week ; by reafon whereof fome were for 
leaving the Work till Monday. How eafi- 
ly might they have argued againft their 
proceeding.^ What advantage could they 
fuppofe it would be to the dead Corps, to 
keep it above Ground till Monday.^ But 
fo it was, that fome of them had fuch a 
Jlrong wtp2ilfe upon their Spirits, that they 
muft proceed, and that with utmofl Life, 
Vigour and Activity / And bleffed be the 
Lord God of Hofts, who fo ftrongly incli- 
ned, and thus fpirited thefe Men to pro- 
ceed and go through their Work. Had 
they left their Work till Monday, how 
doleful had the cafe of this poor diftreffed 

Man 



( 13 ) 

Man been / Here he muft have hung in 
this dark and doleful Place, expe6ling eve- 
ry Minute to be dafli'd to pieces ; being 
pierced with Cold, pinched with Hunger, 
and tormented with pain ; fainting, lan- 
guifliing and dying ; and in utmoft probabi- 
lity, he w^ould have given up the Ghoffc 
before Monday. Oh that men zuould prai/e the 
Lord for his Goodnefs, and for his zvonderfjcl 
Works to the Children of Men \ 

[But it pleafed God to dire61: fome one 
to faften it again.] It feems to be an ob- 
fervable Providence, that this diflreffed Mans 
requefl fhould be anfwered when no Man 
heard him ; he call'd with all the Life and 
Vigour he had, but they heard him not ; 
but the Lord that knew his diftreffes, direc- 
ted fome one to faften the Rope again. 

[And wdien they got within about three 
or four Foot of him, they heard him.] 
y\mazing Wonder! How were they filFd 
with Aftonifhment, and tranfported w'ith 
Joy when they heard his Voice ! But yet, 
their Joy feems to be mixt with Trembling, 
for fear left they fliould be a means of his 
Death, whilfl they were endeavouring to 
fave his Life. And a Wonder it was, that 
w4ien they drew near him, that fome of 
the laft Stones had not ended his Days. 

But 



( 14 ) 

But God fuffered not thefe lafl Stones to 
hurt the Man. The Stones over his Head 
were removed with fafety ; and God brought 
him out of Darknefs and the lliadow of 
Death. Oh that me7i would praife the Lord for 
his Goodnefs, and for his wonderful Works to 
the Children of Men. 

CHAP. HI. 

A General Improvement of the Narrative, 



F 



Irfl. This Narrative mayferve to put us 
in mind of fome of the glorious Attri- 
butes of God. 

I. Wifdom and Knowledge. God has 
a perfe6l Knowledge of every thing, even 
before it comes to pafs. He fore-knew the 
diftrefs that Ebenezer Taylor would be in, in 
his Well ; and in what part of the Well he 
would be ; and therefore, when the Well 
was firft Ston'd, he in his Wifdom, inclin'd 
and directed thofe that were concern'd a- 
bout Stoning of it, in what part of the 
Well to place thofe larger Stones, fo as 
that they might meet together over the 
Man's Head, and fo bind each other as to 
prevent any more Stones from coming down. 

Acts 



( '5 ) 

Acts 15. 18. Knozvn 2171I0 God are all his Works 
from the beginning of the World. 

Power, Mercy and Omniprefence. 
Pfa. 62. II, 12. God hath fpoken once; 
twice have I heard this, that power belong- 
eth unto God. Alfo unto thee, O Lord, 
belongeth Mercy, &c. Jer. 23. 24. Do not I 
fill Heaven and Earth faith the Lord. God is 
prefent in every place : there is no (pace 
where he is not. (And therefore we fliould 
be afraid to Sin againft God in fecret; for 
he fees all that we do, and will call us to an 
account for it. Eccl. 1 2. 4.) 

God was prefent with the diftreffed Man 
when he was in his Well, in the time of his 
great diftreffes ! And his own Bowels of 
Mercy and Compaffion mov'd him to put 
forth his power to work Salvation for him. 
How great was the Mercy, how wonderful 
was the Power that appeared in preferving 
the Man's Life, when fuch a body of Stones 
and Earth paffed down by him, (with vio- 
lence) as to fill the Well 1 1 Foot from the 
bottom ! What but an Almighty Arm, who 
but the Lord God Omnipotent could have 
fav'd this Man from Death ? The fame God 
that made thofe Stones, fo over-rul'd them, 
as that they could not put a period to the 

Man's 



( i6 ) 

Man s Life ; altho' they came down with 
fuch fury and violence, as tho' they would 
have daflied him to pieces in a moment of 
time. 

Again, How great was the Mercy of 
God, in caufmo: thofe Stones to meet over 
the Man's Head, thereby to prevent his be- 
ing fuddenly kil'd / This is a Mercy never 
to be forgotten ; efpecially by him who was 
at this time wonderfully deliver'd from fud- 
den Death ! Again, When fome were of the 
mind to flay till Monday before they Dug 
the dead Corps (as they fuppof 'd it was) out 
of the Well ; that others fliould be fo ftrong- 
ly inclin'd, and fpirited to proceed and go 
through their Work, was a Mercy worthy 
to be had in everlafting Remembrance. 

REFLECTION. 

If the Power and Mercy of God in this 
one inftance be fo great ; then how great 
is the Power and Mercy of God, which hath 
been perpetually and uaweariedly exercifed 
towards his Creatures from the beo-innino- of 
the World to this very Day ! And in an 
efpecial manner, how great was the Mercy 
of God, in fending the Son of his Love into 
this World to fuffer and Dy in our room 

and 



,( 17 ) 

and ftead ; that fo we might not perifli for- 
ever ! Great indeed ! Beyond all expreffion 
and conception great ! 

Secondly. This Narrative may ferve to 
put us in Mind of our own Frailty, Danger 
and Mortality. We are poor, weak, frail, 
brittle, mortal Creatures ; who every Day 
walk in dansfer of our Lives. How foon 
may our Breath be ftop'd ? We are often in 
Danger when we know it not. 

INFERENCE. 

If we are Mortal, and walk in continual 
Danger of our Lives ; and know not but that 
God may put an end to our Days upon 
Earth the next Moment, and fend our Souls 
into an endlefs Eternity ; how careful lliould 
we then be to be always found in God's 
way ; doing his work and bufmefs ; aiming 
at his Honour and Glory in what we do. 

Thirdly. This Narrative may ferve as a 
Motive to quicken us to the performance of 
fundry Duties. As, 

I. To endeavour to preferve the Lives of 

others, fo long as we have any grounds to 

C hope 



( i8 ) 

hope that we may be a means to fave their 
Lives. The People that Dug after Ebenezer 
Taylor were a means of faving his Life, when 
they had Httle or no hopes that they iliould. 
Are not Perfons fome times too foon given 
over for Dead ; and fo are forc'd to pine 
away, and Die for want of ufing the means 
that was proper for their Recovery ? 

2. We may be quicken'd to truffc in the 
Lord, in the moft dark, and black, and fad- 
deft times. Our cafe may be difficult. 
Troubles may furround us ; and wSorrows 
overwhelm us. Well, but is our cafe more 
difficult than was the cafe of this Man } The 
Lord delivered him out of his diftreffes, and 
he can deliver us, if it be his holy pleafure. 
Why fliould we be difcouraged, dejected and 
caft down ? Is any thing too hard for the 
Lord ? Can't that God that brought this 
Man out of his diftreffes, bring us out of 
ours, if it be his fovereign pleafure fo to do.f^ 
Let us then truft in the Lord for ever ; for 
in the Lord Jehovah is everlafting ftrength. 

3. We may be quickened to thank, praife 
and extol the the great God, on the Ac- 
count of the Expreffions of his Goodnefs, 
and wonderful Works to the Children of 

Men; 



( 19 ) 

Men ; efpecially on the Account of thofe 
Works which have been more fignally Won- 
derful ; and wherein his Goodnefs that hath 
been expreffed to us, hath been more efpeci- 
ally Remarkable. If the Lord works Won- 
ders for us, why fliould we not give unto 
him the Glory due unto his Name ? If 
God be abundant in the Expreffions of his 
Goodnefs, why fliould not we be abundant 
in praifmg of him on the Account thereof ? 
Why fliould we not praife the Name of the 
Lord, on the Account of the wonderful 
Work that he hath done, with refpe6l to 
EbenezerTaylor ? O magnify the Lord with vi.e^ 
a7id let Its exalt his Name together. This poor 
Man cried, and the Lord heard him, and deliver- 
ed him out of his Diflreffes : He brought him^ out 
of Darknefs and the fJiadow of Death. O give 
Thanks ttnto the Lord^ for he is good, for his 
Mercy endureth for ever. To hijn that fo rul'd 
the Rage and Fury of the Stones, as that 
they fliould not be able to dalli this Man to 
pieces, when they came down like a Clap 
of Thunder ; for his Me^^cy cndtcreth for ever. 
To him who caufed thofe Stones to meet 
and bind each other over the Man's Head, 
thereby to prevent his being fuddenly kill'd 
by that Body of Stones that was then coming 
down ; for His Mercy endurth for ever. To him 
C 3 hitn 



( 20) 

him who fo ftrongly inclined and fpirited 
thofe Men to dig after the Man, and to go 
through their Work ; for his Mercy eiidureth 
for ever. To him who fuffered not fome of 
the laffc Stones to put a Period to his Life, 
but hath brought him out of Darknefs and 
the Shadow of Death ; and hath now healed 
his wounded Body ; for his Mercy ejidiirethfor 
ever. O give thanks tcnto the God of Heaven, 
for his Mercy endureth for ever. And let him 
who was fo wonderfully delivered, give 
Thanks unto the Name of God moft high, 
fo long as he has a Day to live upon the 
Earth. 

Fourthly. This Narrative may ferve to 
put us in mind of the Refurre6lion. This 
man was buried in the Heart of the Earth, 
but when they had opened his Grave, he 
came, or was brought forth. And fo, the 
Hour is coming, in which all that are in 
their Grave Hiall hear the Voice of the Son 
of God, and iliall come forth, &c. So cer- 
tain as this Man came out of his Well, 
wherein he had been buried, io certain it 
is that we fliall come out of our Graves at 
the laft Day. We may be as certain of 
what Chrift faith he will do, as of that 
which he hath already done. 

Fifthly. 



( 21 ) 

Fifthly. This Narrative may ferve to put 
us in mind of the dreadfuhiefs of the Day 
of Judgment, to all fuch as fliall then be 
found out of Chrift. What a dreadful Day 
was it to Ebenezcr Taylor, when the Stones 
came down againft him in fuch a manner 
as they did, and at length buried him, and 
hid him from the light of the Sun, and fe- 
parated him from his Temporal Comforts 
and Enjoyments ! How dreadful then will 
the Day of Judgment be, when Sinners 
would be glad if they might be buried un- 
der Rocks and Mountains, if they might 
thereby be hid from the Face of him that 
fitieth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of 
the Lamb ! Rev. 6. 15, 16, 17. 

Sixthly, We may be put in mind of the 
dreadfulnefs of their Torments, who will be 
fliut up, and Tormented in the Dungion of 
Hell for ever and ever. It was a dreadful 
Time to Ebeiiezer Taylor, w^hen he hung in 
fuch a miferable Condition, in that dark 
and doleful Dungion, 10 or 12 Hours to- 
gether. And if he muft have been con- 
tinued there for ever, his cafe then had been 
the more dreadful. How dreadful then will 
their cafe be, who muft be caft into utter 

and 



( 22 ) 

and eternal Darknefs ! What Tongue can 
exprefs what Heart can conceive, how 
dreadful their Punifliment will be, who will 
be forc'd to fuffer the Wrath of God to 
endlefs Ages. 

Many are the Works that God hath al- 
ready done ; His eternal Power and God- 
head may be clearly feen in the Works of 
Creation and Providence ; but if he fliould 
glorifie his Power in our eternal Damnation, 
above and beyond what it ever yet hath 
been glorified, either in the Works of Crea- 
tion or Providence ; then verily our Pu- 
nifliment will be great, even above and be- 
yond what we are able to exprefs, or at 
prefent can conceive of. Rom. 9. 22. What 
if God, willing to flie w his Wrath, and to make 
his Power known, &c. 



CHAP. IV. 

A particularly Addrefs, i. To Ebenezer 
Taylor. 2. To his Wife, 3. To his Chil- 
dren. 



I 



Shall conclude with a Word of Advice 
to Ebenezer Taylor, and his Family. And 

Firfl, 



( 23 ) 

Firjl, To Ebenezer Taylor himfelf. 

Ebeiiczer Taylor, God hath done that for 
you, which is eminently Wonderful ; indea- 
vour then, that your Service for God and 
your Generation, be eminently Obfervable. 
Endeavour to get into a State of Recon- 
ciliation to God. Wherein you have grie- 
ved the good Spirit of God at any time, 
mourn and grieve for it. And endeavour 
for the time to come, to keep all the Com- 
mandments and Ordinances of the Lord 
blamelefs. Labour to be circumfpe6l in your 
walk, both as a HullDand, a Father, and a 
Neio-hbour. Nes^ledl neither fecret nor fa- 
mily Prayer. How great is your Priviledge, 
that you have the opportunity to pray with 
your Wife and Children, Night and Morn- 
ing! And what would fome give, if they 
might but enjoy the like Priviledge ! But 
their opportunity is paft and gone ; O my 
Friend / endeavour to improve your Blef- 
fmgs whilft you have them, for you know 
not how foon you may loofe them. Ufe 
utmoft endeavours to promote the fpi ritual 
and eternal Good of your W^ife and Chil- 
dren, NOW, whilft you have them round 
about you; for you know not how foon 

they 



( 24 ) 

they may be taken from you, and then it 
will be too late. Endeavour to bring up 
your Children in the fear, nurture and ad- 
monition of the Lord : Give them good 
Counfels, and fet before them good Ex- 
amples. Let your Mouth be filled with the 
high Praifes of God, and never forget how 
great Things he hath done for you. You 
called upon God in the time of your Trou- 
ble, and he delivered you ; be not forget- 
ful then, to glorify the God of your Sal- 
vation. 

Secondly, To Ebcnezer Taylor s Wife. 

1. Set not your Affe6lions inordinately 
upon any temporal Enjoyments. The nea- 
refl and deareil temporal Enjoyments are 
not worthy of a fupream Affection. Our 
deareft temporal Enjoyments may be fudden- 
ly taken from us ; therefore we fliould not 
fet our a£fe6fions inordinately upon them. 
Phil. 4; 5. Let yo2ir Moderation be known unto 
all Men. The Lord is at hand. 

2. Place not your Truft and Happinefs 
in any thing on this fide God. The enjoyr 
ment of Creature Comforts can never make 
us compleatly Happy, whilft we have the 
enjoyment of them. But if they could, we 

might 



( 25 ) 

might be Happy this Hour, and the next 
be Miferable to purpofe. How happy was 
you once, in the enjoyment of your Huf- 
band and Children ? And how doleful was 
your Cafe within a very few Minutes time 
after, when you fuppofed that your Huf- 
band was dead, and buried in his Well. That 
which may be taken away from us in a 
Moment of Time, can never be a fuitable 
Obje6l for us to place our chief Truft and 
Happinefs in. 

3. A moderate and fubordinate Love to 
Relatives, is lawful and a Duty. It is the 
Duty of Wives to love their Hufbands, and 
of Hufbands to love their Wives. The 
whole carriage and deportment of the Man 
and his Wife towards each other, ought to 
be governed by a principle of Love to God 
and one another. Their aim fliould be to 
promote each others good, and efpecially 
their fpiritual and eternal good. And what 
they do for each other, fliould be done 
with utmoft Pleafure, Satisfa6lion and De- 
light. God hath brought your Hufband 
back to you from the Valley of the Shadow 
of Death ; you might have been left a 
poor, diftreffed, difconfolate Widow ; and 
have been forced to have walked up and 

D down 



( 26 ) 

down in a melanchoUy, deje6led Condition. 
But Bleffed be the Name of the Lord, the 
cafe is otherwife with you ; you are not 
yet a Widow, neither are your Children 
Fatherlefs. O what would fome give, (were 
it a thing that could be) if they might 
but enjoy the like priviledge that you do ! 
Were it confiftent with the Sovereign De- 
crees of of the Eternal God, to bring back 
again their dear Ones from their Graves, 
to live with them again ; and were it lawful 
for them to pray unto God, to do this thing 
for them ; with what Agony, and fervour 
of Spirit, would they Pray unto the Al- 
mighty to accomplifli this Work for them. 
But this muft not be ; they are gone down 
to the dark and filent Grave, and there 
they muft continue, until the Refurreclion 
Day is come. If fome might but enjoy 
the like priviledge that you do, how would 
they live? How would they endeavour 
(if poffible) to amend every thing that was 
formerly amifs. With what anguifli of 
Spirit, and rentings of Heart, are they 
ready to cry out. Call Time again, Call 
Time again I But all is in vain ; their Op- 
portunity is paft and gone ; it hath been, 
but the fame Opportunity fliall return no 
more forever. But your Opportunity re- 
means. 



( 27 ) 

mains. And I do intreat and befeech you 
with utmoft concern of Spirit, that you 
do not let flip, but improve your prefent 
Opportunity. Endeavour by all means to 
promote, and by no means to hinder the 
Spiritual Good of your Hufband. Careful- 
ly affift and help him, in his endeavours 
to bring up your Children in the Ways 
of the Lord. Live together as Heirs of 
the Grace of Life. Live in Love and 
Peace, (as I never have heard but that you 
have done fo ever fnice you came together.) 
And I hope that the God of Love and 
Peace will be with you, and blefs you, 
and make you Bleffmgs to each other, and 
to your Children, to your Neighbours, to 
the Church of Chrift, and to the World. 

Thirdly. To Ebenezer Taylor s Children. 

Children, Remember and bare in mind the 
wonderful Work that God hath done for 
your Father; the favour that he hath ihewed 
you, when he fo wonderfully delivered your 
Father from fudden Death. God hath fent 
your Father back to you, from the very brink 
of Eternity, to warn you againft wicked 
practices; and to encourage you to fear and 
ferve God, your Creator. God hath done 

more 



( 28 ) 

more for you, than he hath clone for many 
other Children : Endeavour then to know, 
fear, love, ferve and obey him. Begin to 
feek God betimes : remember your Creator 
in the Days of your Youth. God delights 
to fee little Children praying unto him. 
Take delight in reading God's Word ; and 
endeavour to find out what God hath com- 
manded you that you fhall, and fhall not 
do ; and endeavour to keep all his Com- 
mandments. Do not take the Name of the 
Lord your God in vain. Confider how great 
that God is, who is the Creator of all 
things ; and do not dare to take his 
great and dreadful Name in vain. For 
whofoever they be, who allow themfelves 
in taking God's Name in vain ; Ihall cer- 
tainly be Damn'd except they Repent. 
Exod. XX. 7. Thou JJialt not take the Name 
of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord 
will not hold hi^n guiltlefs that taketh his 
Name in vain. 

Don't accuftom your felves to the 
fpeaking any wicked words. When you 
hear wicked Children fpeak bad Words, 
don't learn of them to fay as they fay ; 
for they muft certainly perifh and that 
for ever, except they Repent. Remem- 
ber 



( 29 ) 

ber to keep holy the Sabbath-day; for 
God hath commanded you fo to do. 
Exod. XX. 8. Remember the Sabbath-day, 
to keep it holy. Honour your Father and 
Mother ; and be careful to obey all 
their lawful Commands. Hearken to 
their Inflru6lions ; take pleafure in obey- 
ing them becaufe it is the Will of God 
that you fliould do fo. Take particular 
notice of what is laid in the Bible 
concerning Jefus Chrift, the Son of the 
moft high God. Aeiam fmned againft 
the great God, by walking contrary to 
his exprefs Command. And he deferved 
to be turned into Hell, for his Rebellion ; 
and fo do all of us ; for he reprefented 
us, and we were then in his Loyns. 
But God fo loved the World, that he 
fent his only begotten Son, to fulfil the 
Law for us, and to Suffer and Dye in 
our room and flead ; that fo we might 
not perifli for ever. That punifhment 
that we deferved, God laid upon his 
own Son : he was wounded for our 
Tranfgreffion ; and bruifed for our Ini- 
quities ; he offer'd up himfelf a Sacri- 
fice, to fatisfy God's juftice, and appeafe 
his Wrath which was incenfed againll: us. 
So that now, altho' we be great Sin- 
ners, 



ners, yet if we Repent and Believe in 
Jefus Chrift we fhall be favecl. If you 
Repent and Believe ; if you accept of 
Jefus Chrift as your Prophet, Prieft and 
King, you fhall be faved ; you fliall e'er 
long be made perfe6fly bleffed in the 
full enjoyment of G©d to endlefs Ages! 
But if you will not Repent and Believe 
in God's Son, you will moft certainly 
be Damned ; you will be turned into 
Hell, where the Wrath and Indignation 
of God, will fill your miferable Souls 
with Tribulation and Anguifh World 
without end. 



F I JsT I S. 



[ I ] 



KO ^Ira Sl^ SIra ^)(0 Si^ ^^ So 0)|(0 ^(Q ^® ^^ o^ o5(® 

A Parents ADVICE 

TO HIS 

Children. 



IP^irpofe to write fomething concerning 
Fafhions {for my own Families u/e) un- 
der four general Heads. 

Firfi, The Sin of our firft Parents, hath 
occafioned a neceffity for our wearing of 
Cloths whilft we live in this world. 

Four things are comprehended in this Pro- 
pofition. As, 

I. Clothing would not have been necef- 
fary for us, if our firft Parents had continu- 
ed in innocency. Clothing would not have 
been neceffary, 

I. On the account of fhame: for there 
would have been none. Our firfl Parents 
w^ere both naked, & without fhame, fo long- 
as they continued innocent, Gen. 2. 25. 
And they were both naked, the Man and his 
Wife, and were not afJiamed. 

A 2. Clothine 



[ 2 ] 

2. Clothing would not have been necef- 

fary to prevent Sin. If our firft Parents 

had continued in innocency, then when we 
fhould have beheld the curious & wonderful 
workmanfhip of humane bodies, we fhould 
have been excited thereby, to Love & Obey 
our great Creator; and not to hate and re- 
bel againft Him . 

3. Clothing would not have been necef- 
fary for Ornament. The bodies of our firffc 
Parents were fo beautiful & glorious, that 
they had no need of clothing to adorn them. 
Their bodies were fearfully & wonderfully 
made ; curioufly wrought ; wifely fram'd 
and falhion'd, according to the wifdom and 
power of the great & wife GOD. Clothing 
would rather have been a vail than an or- 
nament : it would rather have conceal'd the 
glory of GOD which is in his works, than 
to have made his works appear the more 
glorious . 

4. Clothing had not been neceffary for 
Comfort. The bodies of our firfh Parents 
were not, neither would they have been 
affli61:ed with fcorching heat and piercing 
cold, if they had continued in innocency. 
For either, (i) There would not have been 
cold & heat to that degree that there is 
now. Or, (2) Their bodies were fo fuited & 
adapted, that cold & heat would not have 
affli61;ed them, as now it doth ours. II. 



C.3] 

//. The fecond thing. Clothing will not 
be neceffary for us after the Refurre6lion. — 
As Adam had no need of Clothes before he 
finned, fo the bodies of the Saints will have 
no need of Clothes, when they fliall be 
perfe611y freed from Sin, and the e£fe6l 
thereof. The bodies of the Saints after 
the Refurre6tion, fliall be fafliioned like un- 
to the glorious body of the Son of GOD; 
which hath no need of Clothes to adorn it. 

///. In this life clothing is neceffary. 
It is fo, (i) on the account of fliame. When 
our firft Parents had finned, they were a- 
fliamed ; which occafioned their fewing 
fig-leaves together, for a covering; the Lord 
alfo clothed them with Coats. (2) Clothing 
is now neceffary for the prevention of fm. — 
Which is matter of deep humiliation. (3) 
Clothing feems to be an accidental, tempo- 
ral Ornament. Clothing doth not feem to 
be an effential Ornament to Men, if we confi- 
der them meerly as created by GOD ; but an 
Ornament that was introduced by the fm of 
our firft Parents, which is necelTary for us 
Sinners, whilft we live in this finful World. 

IV. The fourth thing. It was the fin of 
our firft Parents that occafion'd this necef- 
fity. Our firft Parents were both naked, 
until they had fin'd ; but when they had 
finned the Lord himfelf foon clothed them : 
A 2 clothing 



[4] 
clothing entred into the world by fin, Gen. 3. 
6, 7, 21. Inference. If fm was the occafion 
of our wearing of clothes, we may fee then 
what little reafon we have to be proud of 
them. When we clothe our bodies, it better 
becomes us, to have our Souls clothed with 
Humility; and that fliame and blufliing 
fliould cover our faces, than that pride 

fliould compafs us about as a chain. It 

better becomes us to fall down before GOD, 
in deep humility and felf abafement, than 
to be proud of the effe6ts of fm. 

Secondly. As Clothing is now neceffary, 
fo there is a neceffity that our Cloths fliould 
be made in fome fafliion. To make a Gar- 
ment without any Hiape or fafliion, is not 
poffible . 

Thirdly. The third Propofition. It is not 
neceffary that people in all Ages, nor that 
all perfons in an h^^\ nor that one & the 
fame perfon fliould at all times, keep unva- 
riably to one and the fame fafliion. By 
fafliion in this & the following Propofition, 
I include both Habit and Shape. 

/. It is not neceffary that people in all 
Ages fliould keep to one & the fame fafliion. 
There is no law which obliges people in 
every Generation, to keep to one and the 
fame fafliion ; therefore people are under 
no neceffity fo to do : for where there is no 
law there is no tranfgreffion, Rom. 5. 11. 



[5] 

//. It is not neceffary that all perfons in 

an Age fliould clothe themfelves in one fort 
of Habit. Kings may cloth themfelves in 
fuch Apparel as is not proper for their Sub- 
jecfls to wear, i King. 22. 10. There was 
alfo Garments, which were fuitable & pro- 
per for the Priefhs to wear, which was not 
fuitable for Kings, or other Men, Ezra 2. 69. 

And others of a more inferiour rank 

and order, feems to have been diftinguiflied 
by Apparel fuited to their rank, 2 Chron. 
9. 4. — The attendance of his Minifters, and 
their Apparel ; his Cup-bearers alfo, and 
their Apparel. 

///. It is not neceffary that one and the 
fame perfons fiiould at all times, keep unva- 
riably to one and the fame fafliion. To 
have our minds ftrongly bent & inclin'd to 
follow the neweft fafliions, is a fniful frame 
and difpofition ; but the bare changing 
from one fafliion to another, is not a fm. — 
A perfon may have juft occafion, at one 
time to put on Mourning Apparel ; and at 
another time he may have as juft occafion 
to clothe himfelf with Garments of joy. 

Fourthly. The fourth. Propofition. We 
fhould take heed leaft ^^ follow fuch fafJiions 
as will provoke G O D to anger againft us. 

/. We fliould take heed, that we become 
not guilty of breaking the fixth Command, 

by 



by following fuch fafliions as have a ten- 
dency to deftroy our Health. When we 
follow fuch fafliions as have a tendency to 
deftroy our Health, we do then become guilty 
of breaking the fixth Commandment. And if 
our folly prove not the occafion of our own 
Death, it is owing wholly to the undeferved 
Mercy of GOD, & no thanks at all unto us. 

//. We fliould take heed, leaft we pro- 
voke GOD to anger againft us, by follow- 
ing fuch fafliions as are contrary to the 
feventh Commandment. Such fafliions as 
are the produ6l of a Lafcivious mind, & that 
have a tendency to excite unchaft thoughts, 
defires & a6fions, are contrary to the fe- 
venth Commandment. And therefore it 
is, that I have been, & am flill of the mind, 
that Women by wearing their Hoops, and 
laying their Breafts bare, become guilty of 
breaking the feventh Commandment. For 
as he that looks on a Woman to luft after 
her, hath committed Adultery with her, 
already in his heart ; fo flie that clothes her- 
felf with immodefl Apparel, to be lufted af-- 
ter by Men, is doubly guilty of breaking 
the feventh Commandment. And there- 
fore it is, that I folemnly warn my own 
Children ao^ainft clothino; themfelves with 
immodeft Apparel. 

///. We fliould take heed, leaft we be- 
come 



[ 7] 
come guilty of breaking the eighth Com- 
mandment, by clothing our felves in over 

coftly Apparel . 

IV. We fliould take heed, leafl we follow 
fuch fafliions as caft contempt upon the Per- 
fe61ions of GOD, and are a diflionour to his 
Son. We fliould take heed, that we do not 
follow fuch fafliions as are provoking unto 
GOD. (i) From a Principle of Love to 
GOD. We fliould from a principle of love 
to GOD, ufe utmofl indeavours to pleafe 
Him in all our ways ; and exercife a con- 
tinual care leaft we fliould do any thing 
that fliould offend Him (2) From a regard 
to our own felves. By clothing our felves 
in flrange Apparel, we not only Sin againfb 
GOD, but we w^ound our own Souls, & ex- 
pofe our felves to be deflroyed by G O D s 
Judgments. Zeph. i. 8. And it Jliall come 
to pafs in the day of the Lord's facrifice, that 
I will puniJJi the Princes^ and the Kings Chil- 
dren^ and all fuch as are clothed with flrange 
apparel. And how foon it may be the day 
of the Lords facrifice, with refpe6l to the 
Inhabitants of this land, we cannot tell. 
GOD feems to be giving of us folemn and 
awful warnings of fome great things which 
he is about to do upon earth. Great over- 
turnings, it is likely are not far off. It then 
highly concerns us all, to repent of all our 

iniquities, 



1 8] 

iniquities, and turn unto the LORD; to 
believe in His Son, and obey His voice ; 
that fo we may be prepared to meet our 
GOD, in the moft black & dark, and awful 
difpenfations of His Providence. (3) From 
a regard to others. By clothing our felves 
with ftrange Apparel we may greatly hurt 
and injure others. Women by clothing 
themfelves with immodeffc Apparel, may 
be the means of the eternal ruine of their 
fellow Creatures. O that Women would 
once put on bowels of compaffion towards 
their fellow creatures / How can they 
. bear the thoughts, that their clothing them- 
fels with immodeft Apparel, fliould be 
a means to fmk their fellow creatures into 
endlefs mifery & anguifli ! 

Before I conclude this Propofition, I fliall 
propound a Queftion with refpedl to Mens 
wearing of Perriwigs. 

Qitejl. If a Man cut off his hair to wear 
a Perriwig, merely becaufe it is a common 
fafliion, or becaufe he diflikes the colour of 
his own hair ; or if he cover his head with 
fuch a Perriwig as doth disfigure him, doth 
he not therein walk contrary to GOD's law, 
which commands him to love the Lord his 
God with all his heart, & with all his foul ? 
&c. Deut. 6. 5. Mat. 22. 37. And is it not 
worthy of our inquiry, Whether this be not 

one 



[9] : 

one of the God-provoking evils which our 
Land Hes under the guilt of; and for which 
GOD feems to be threatning to lay our Land 
defolate. This Queflion I do with all hu- 
mility propofe to the conlideration of fuch as 
are Pious & Judicious ; it being beyond my 
rank & ftation, to give a full Anfwer there- 
unto ; yet I fliall offer a few things to the 
confideration of my own Son, the Son of 
my Vows. And, 

Firji. Adam, fo long as he continued in 
innocency, did wear his own Hair and not a 
Perriwig. Indeed, I do not fee how it was 
poffible that Adam fliould diflike his own 
hair, & therefore cut it off, that fo he might 
wear a Perriwig, and yet have continued 
innocent. That very moment that he had 
refolved upon fuch a thing, he would have 
lofl; his innocency; the Lnage of GOD 
would have been defaced; his love to GOD 
would at once have been loft, & an enmity 
to Him would have been introduced into his 
Soul ; he would have denied the GOD that 
made him, and have made a god of himfelf. 
He would have caft contempt upon the 
goodnefs of GOD, who gave him his Hair to 
adorn him. He would have caft contempt 
upon the wdfdom of GOD; he would have 
interpretatively have told the Moft High 
to his face, that His works were not wifely 
B made ; 



[ lo] 
made ; but that he knew better what was 
fuitable for him, than his Maker did. Whilft 
Adam continued in innocency, he loved the 
Lord his God with all his heart, and with all 
his foul ; & therefore he loved the wifclom 
of God, which in very deed is GOD himfelf. 
He took infinite pleafure & fatisf action in 
contemplating the wifdom of GOD, which 
appear'd in his works ; therefore he would 
not have concealed the wifdom of GOD, that 
appear'd in the make & colour of his own 
Hair, by cutting it off, & covering his head 
with a Perriwig. 

Secondly. When the Son of GOD appear'd 
in flefli, he did not from a diflike of his own 
Hair, cut it off, to wear a Perriwig. The 
Lord JESUS, always did thofe things that 
pleas'd his Father : He never diflionoured 
him in any one A6lion in his whole life : 
He glorified Him in all he did for evermore, 
Job. 17. 4. but if he had found fault with 
his own Hair, and had therefore cut it off 
to wear a Perriwig, he would have diflionou- 
red his Father ; he would have cafl con- 
tempt upon his wifdom, fovereignty and 
goodnefs ; therefore 'tis evident that he did 
wear his own Hair, and not a Perriwig. 

Thirdly. The Children of GOD, will not 
wear Perriwigs after the Refurre6lion. GOD 
did not fuffer the Body of Chrifl to fee cor- 
ruption : 



t.II ] 

ruption : his flefli did not confume, nor his 
Hair waft in the Grave : he doubtlefs now 
wears the Hair that is effential to his own 
head. And the bodies of Behevers fliall be 
fafliioned hke unto the glorious body of the 
Son of GOD. They iliall then doubtlefs be 
adorn'd with Hair effential to their own 
heads. 

ObjeB. Adaifi did not wear clothes whilft 
he continued in innocency, neither will the 
Saints .wear any after the Refurre6fion ; 
yet it doth not from thence follow, that we 
may not wear clothes now, in our fallen con- 
dition. And why may not the fame be faid 
with refpe6l to our wearing of Perriwigs .^ 

What I fliall fay under the following head 
may ferve for an anfwer to this objection. 

Fourthly, We have no warrant in the 
word of GOD, that I know of, for our wear- 
ing of Perriwigs ; except it be in extraor- 
dinary cafes. 

We have fufficient w^arrant in the word 
of GOD, for our wearing of clothes, but 
none for our cutting off our Hair, either to 
wear a Perriwig or a Cap, meerly for fafliion- 
fake ; nor yet becaufe we diflike the colour 
of our own Hair. The Lord GOD himfelf 
clothed Adams body after the fall, but He 
did not cover his head with a Perriwig. If 
the Lord had thought that it was moft con- 
B 2 venient 



[12] 

venient that fallen men flioulcl wear Perri- 
wigs, why did not he himfelf fet us an ex- 
ample, by covering Adams head with a Per- 
riwig, as he did by covering his body with 
clothes ? And why did not the Lord Jefus 
fet us an example in this particular, as well 
as in others ? EliJJia did not cover his head 
with a Perriwig, altho' it was bald : the 
Nazarites wore their own Hair, &c. 

Objecl. Some of the moft eminent Men 
for Holinefs, that are now living, wear Per- 
riwigs. Yea, tho' Jefus Chrift did not wear 
a Perriwig himfelf, yet a great part of the 
Ambaffadors that preach him ; & the Civil 
Rulers that reprefent Him, wear Perriwigs. 

Anfiv. Therefore if it be a hn, it is the 
more eminently & evidently the fm of the 
Land. Therefore, my Son, I look upon it 
to be your indifpenfable duty, to make dili- 
gent fearch, to know whether it be a iin or 
not. For you muft mourn for your Neigh- 
bours fms, and the fms of the land, as well 
as your own. But only you mufl take great 
heed, that you do not take a diflike to any 
Mans Perfon, or his Office, inftead of his 
fm. To fee the greateft part of the Men 
in fome Congregations wearing Perriwigs, 
is matter of deep lamentation. For either 
all thefe Men had a neceffity to cut off their 
Hair, or elfe not. If they had a neceffity 

to 



[.13] 

to cut off their Hair, then we have reafon 

to take up a lamentation over the fin of our 
firfl; Parents, which hath occafion'd ib many 
Perfons in one Congregation, to be lickly, 
weakly, crazy Perfons. O Adam what 
haft thou done / How awful & lamentable 
is the condition that we are brought into by 
the fui of our firft Parents ! What a won- 
derful diforder is brought upon the Creation 
of GOD, by means of the firft tranfgreffion ! 
But if thefe Men had no neceffity to cut off 
their Hair ; if they cut it off without a good 
reafon therefor ; a reafon that will bear to 
be examined by the Son of GOD, when they 
fliall make their Appearance before His 
Judgment Seat; then we have reafon to 
lament that there is fo much contempt caft 
upon GOD, and fo much diflionour done to 
His Son. How can we choofe but lament, 
to fee the works of GOD flighted, his Image 
and Glory dif-vigoured, and His Son diflio- 
noured ! i Cor. ii. 3, 4, 7. Chrift is the 
head of every Man. Every man that prays 
with his head cornered, dijlwnours Chrift, his 
head. Suppofe that Jefus Chrift was now upon 
earth, and I were in his prefence at a Table, 
or elfe where, would it not be an unmanner- 
ly, unbecoming, fancy thing in me, to have 
my head cover'd with a Hat in his prefence } 
Would not the enemies of my Lord take an 

occafion 



[14]. 
occafion to caft refle6lions upon him ? 
Would they not conclude that he was a Per- 
fon of no great dignity & excellency ? and 
that he meanly educated his followers ? 
Thus fliould I diflionour my Head & Lord. 
A Perriwig is as truly an artificial covering 
as a Hat. A Hat is made with the Hair of 
one Creature, and a Perriwig with the Hair 
of another. We condemn the Quakers for 
keeping their heads covered when they are 
in the prefence of their Superiours, and yet 
we our felves can keep our Heads covered 
when we are in the prefence of the great 
GOD, who is infinitely Superiour to us. 
And I think it is worthy of thought, whe- 
ther one end in GOD's permitting this their 
unbecoming carriage, were not to fliame us 
for our unbecoming carriage towards our 
great Sovereign. Every Man's Hair and 
the colour thereof was made by GOD, and 
his wifdom & fovereignty appears in ma- 
king one Mans Hair of this colour, another 
of that, and another of another, &c. If we 
then, from a diilike of the colour of our own 
Hair, cut it off, we do then caft contempt 
upon GOD. And this leads to another 
evil ; to zvit. Praying unto GOD with our 
heads covered, which in ordinary cafes I 
think is not lawful, but fmful. i Cor. ii. 
4. Every 7nan praymg or propliefying^ having 

his 



['5] 

his head covered, diJJwnoureth his head. v. 7. 

For a man indeed ought not to cover his 
head, forafmtich as he is the image and glory 

of God. I Cor. 10. 31. Whatfoever you 

do, do all to the glory of God. Pfal. 145. 10. 
All thy works fJui II praife thee, O L 0RD[ And 
Pfal. 104. '^^i. The glory of the LORD fJiall 
indure for ever', the LORD fiall rejoyce 
in HIS (his own) works. 

To conclude. It having pleafecl the fove- 
reign GOD, to rend my Family in pieces, 
by removing your Mother from me by 
Death, and fcattering of you up and down 
in the earth, fo that I have not now the op- 
portunity & happinefs, to inftrudl you in the 
Knowledge & Ways of the eternal GOD, 
I fliall therefore improve this opportunity 
to leave my folemn Charge with you all : 
concluding with a few Verfes, which were 
moft of them compofed & writ, for my own 
ufe. Thefe may be (for ought I know) the 
laft lines that I fliall ever write unto you ; 
w^hich if they fliould, I advife you to im- 
prove them as my laft Legacy. 

As an introdudlion to my Charge, I fliall 
premife a few things. As, 

Firjl. There is One GOD, and but One; 
who altho' He be but One in Effence, yet He 
is Three in manner of Subfiftence ; the 
FATHER, the SON, &the HOLY GHOST; 

who 



[ i6] 
who Is the Maker, Ruler and Judge of the 
World ; a great & glorious Being, even be- 
yond all expreffion or conception. 

Secondly, Nothing can make you com- 
pleatly and eternally happy, but only the 
injoyment of this great & glorious GOD. 

Thirdly. You are by Nature ignorant of 
GOD, and enemies to him; fo that you can 
never come to the injoyment of Him in 
your Natural condition : you muft be born 
again, or elfe you will certainly perifii for 
ever, Job. 3. 3. If we confider our felves 
meerly as defcending from Adam, without 
any reference to the Mediator; I cannot fee 
what we are better than the Devils. If we 
have any Confcience of Sin, Moral vertues 
or fpecial Grace ; whatfoever we have in 
us that is preferable to what the Devils have 
in them, I fuppofe that it is owing wholly to 
the Mediation of Jefus Chrift, as the Meri- 
torious caufe of it ; the moving caufe being 
the rich, free and fovereign Grace of GOD, 
Job. 1.9. 

Fourthly. Jefus Chrift hath made way for 
the Renovation of our Natures by his own 
Death. He came to fave his People from 
their fins : the juft died for the unjuft, that he 
might bring us to God, Mat. i. 21. i Pet.^y- 18. 

Fifthly. The ordinary means of this Re- 
novation, is the word of GOD, Jaju. i. 18. 

Ro7n, 



[ 17] 
Rom. lo. 17. I know that the fovereign 
GOD, can Convert Sinners by other means. 
Multitudes of Perfons have been awakened 
by the EARTHQUAKE, that was between 
the 29. & 30. of OHober, 1727. and have been 
fince that added unto the Churches ; whom 
we hope are Converted Perfons : but whe- 
ther the Earthquake was the only, or prin- 
ciple means of the thorough Converfion of 
any one of them, I dare not fay. They 
might be greatly awakened by the Earth- 
quake; but I am inclin'd to think, that the 
Word of GOD was the principle means of 
the Converfion of fuch as were Converted. 
By the word of GOD they feem to have 
been prepared for the Earthquake, and by 
the Earthquake they feem to have been 
taught how to apply the Word that had 
been preach'd to them ; and alfo to have 
been prepared for what was to be preached 
to them afterwards. GOD has magnfy'd 
the Law and made it honourable: He has 
7nagnifyd his Word above all his Name, 
Pfal. 138. 2. I think it to be worthy 
of fpecial Remark, that GOD inclin'd 
fundry Minfters to preach on fuch fubje61s, 
that Day preceding the Earthquake, as was 
moft fuitable & proper to prepare the Peo- 
ple for fuch an awful difpenfation, as fol- 
lowed at Night. One Man preach'd on 
C Mai. 



[ i8] 
Mai. 4. I. For beJiold, the day cometh that 
JJiall burn as an oven, &c. And in his Ser- 
mon he told his Hearers to this purpofe, 
That the evil time might come upon them 
that very Night. The Rev. Mr. Gookin, 
Paftor of a Church in Hampton in New- 
Hainpjliire, had fuch a flrong impreffion up- 
on his Mind, to ftudy a Sermon on Ezek. 
7. 7. The day of trouble is near: that he 
could not tell how to avoid it. And accor- 
dingly he preach'd on thofe words but a few 
Hours before the Earthquake came ; and 
concluded his Sermon with thofe words, 
IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL 
INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING 
GOD. And it pleafed the fovereign Spirit 
of GOD to blefs this Sermon, & to do good 
unto the Souls of fome thereby. Faith 
comes by Jiearing, and hearing by the word 
of GOD. 

Sixthly, It is the Spirit of GOD, that is 
the Efficient caufe of a Sinners Converlion. 
Thunder & Earthquakes, &c, may be a 
means to awaken, and prepare Sinners for 
converting Grace, and the Word of GOD 
may be a means to Convert them ; but it is 
the Spirit of GOD Himfelf, that prepares, in- 
lightens & converts Sinners by thofe means. 
The late Earthquake as accompany'd by the 
Word of GOD, would not have converted 

One 



[■9] 

One Sinner, had not the Spirit from on 

High been poured down upon them. 

Seventhly. GOD doth not owe converting 
Grace to any Sinner. If any are Conver- 
ted, it floweth from the gracious Nature of 
that GOD, who is rich in Mercy. We do 
not deferve the leaft favour at GOD's hand, 
much lefs do we deferve fo orreat a favour 
as converting Grace. GOD may juftly 
leave us all, to live and die, and perifli in 
our Sins. 

Eighthly. If it fliould pleafe the fovereign 
GOD to beftow upon you converting Grace, 
you mufh ftill remember that you can never 
be juftified before GOD, upon the account 
of a righteoufnefs in you; but it muft be 
alone upon the account of the Righteoufnefs 
of Jefus Chrift imputed to you. If you 
do not fuffer eternal Wrath, it is becaufe 
CHRIST fuffer'd in your room & ftead. If 
GOD look upon you as perfectly righteous, 
it mufl be upon the account of the righte- 
oufnefs of His own Son, imputed to you. 

And now my Children, I do/olemnly Charge 
you all\ 

Firjl. That you indeavour after the 
Knowledge of the only true GOD, and JE- 
SUS CHRIST whom He hath fent. With- 
out the Knowledge of GOD in CHRIST, 
you muft unavoidably perifh. Eternal 
C 2 Dam- 



_ [ 20 ] 

Damnation will moft certainly be your 
portion, if you die without a faving acquain- 
tance with GOD in CHRIST. Therefore, 
acquaint NOW your felves with GOD, and 
be at peace with Him, and fo fpiritual and 
eternal good fliall come unto you. Live in 
the ufe of thofe means which GOD hath ap- 
pointed, whereby to come to the Knowledge 
of Himfelf, and the Son of His love. Search 
the Scriptures : Wait at the Pofts of wifdoms 
doors. Contemplate the glorious Perfe6li- 
ons of GOD, as they are clearly to be feen 
in the works of Creation, Providence and 
Redemption 

Secondly. You mufl not only indeavour 
to Know GOD, but you muft Love Him with 
all your Heart, and with all your Soul ; and 
ferve Him with a perfe6l heart, & a willing 
mind. Begin to feek & ferve GOD Now, 
while you are Young ; and let the ferving 
and glorifying of Him, be your chief end, 
and account the injoyment of Him your 
highefi: happinefs. Nothing is fo delightful 
and profitable, as is the fmcere ferving of 
GOD: in keeping^his Commandments there 
is great reward. Take good heed to all your 
Ways : be watchful over all your words, left 
you fm againft GOD thereby. Do not dare 
to take the Name of the Lord your GOD in 
vain ; for He is a holy & jealous GOD, and 

will 



C 21 ] _ 

will not hold you guiltlefs, if you take His 
Name in vain, Exod. 20. 7. Be conftant and 
zealous in attending the worfliip of GOD, in 
fecret, private and publick. Remember to 
keep holy the Sabbath-day ; and take heed 
to reverence GOD's Sanctuary, Lev. 19. 30. 
Confider the reafon of our 'keeping the Firft 
day of the Week as a Sabbath, or a day of 
Reft, now in the days of the Gofpel. We 
were brought into a finful & miferable con- 
dition by the Apoftacy of our firft Parents ; 
but Jefus Chrift came and wrought a great 
and wonderful work, to redeem us from fm 
and hell ; which when He had finiflied. He 
entered into His Reft, on the Firft day of 
the Week ; and hath appointed that in re- 
membrance of fo great & mighty a work we 
fliould keep the Firft day of the Week as a 
day of Reft, until the end of the World; 
Himfelf having fet us an Example, that we 
fliould do as He hath done. Heb. 4. 9, 10. 
There remameth therefore a reft to the people 
of God. For he that is entered into his reft, 
he alfo hath ceafed from his own wo7^ks, as 
God did from his. When GOD had finiflied 
the works of Creation, He refted & was re- 
freflied on the Seventh day, & having Him- 
felf fet us an example, He orders & appoints 
that the Seventh day of the Week fliould be 
kept as a Sabbath, which was to continue 

until 



until the Refurre61ion of Chrift. In like 
manner, when Chrift had iiniflied the work 
of Redemption, He entered into his Refb on 
the Firft day of the Week ; and therefore He 
hath bleffed this day & hallowed it. This 
is the day of Reft that remains to the Peo- 
ple of GOD. And if we rightly Reft in GOD 
in this day, it will be a pledge of our ever- 
lafting Reft in the Heavenly World. Then 
remember this Sabbath day to keep it holy. 

Do nothing, (except there be a neceffity 
for it) that hath a tendency to deftroy ei- 
ther your own, or your Neighbours Life. 

Take great heed to guard againft the 
breach of the Seventh Commandment. Shun 
every thing that hath a tendency to lead 
you into that fm. Let your Speech, Carriage 
and Apparel be modeft & becoming. Take 
heed that you be not infnared, ruined & un- 
done by wicked Company. Indeavour after 
Truth and Stability before GOD and Man. 
Indeavour to be ferviceable to your fellow 
Creatures. Take heed of being fwallowed up 
of a ftingy, felfifli Spirit. ThouJJialt love thy 
Neighbour as thy f elf , Mat. 22. 39. Seek not 
your own, but your Neighbours wealth, i Cor. 
10. 24. Take heed & beware of Covetouf- 
nefs, Ltik. 12. 15. Let thy Neighbour live as 
well as thou. Honour thofe that are your 
Superiours. Let your Speech & Carriage be 

wife 



[ 23 ] 

wife & difcreet towards all. If GOD fliould 
make you, or any of you heads of Families, 
indeavour by all means to promote the wor- 
fliip of GOD therein. Let it be your bufi- 
nefs, joy & delight, to bring up thofe that 
fliall be committed to your charge, in the 
fear, nurture & admonition of the LORD. 
Abftain from the very appearance of evil. 
Labour to keep all the Commandments and 
Ordinances of the Lord blamelefs ; ftill re- 
membering that you can never be juftify'd 
before GOD, upon the account of any thing 
that you can do ; but that it muft be alone 
upon the account of the Merits of JESUS 
CHRIST. Fmally, If you feek GOD aright. 
He will be found of you, & will make you 
happy to endlefs ages; but if you forfake 
Him, and walk after your own hearts lufts, 
He will cafl you off for ever. 
/. 

SI N of all Evils is by far the worfl ; 
For it both Men and Devils are acurft ; 
Thofe Torments great ! the Damned do indure, 
Thofe dreadful pains ! Sin did it all procure. 

//. 
My Sins are many, and exceeding great / 
Beyond what any Mortal can relate ; 
What fliall I do ! Alas, how can I tell ? 
I do deferve the dreadful pains of Hell. 

Of all my Sins, I hope I do Repent, 
And loth my felf for all my Time mifpent ; 
If then I come to CHRIST and do Believe, 
Through Mercy great / I pardon fliall receive. 



[ 24] 

IV. 
Therefore I do unto my JESUS fly, 
And at the fountain of His Mercy lye ; 
Pleading for Mercy, at His lovely feet. 
Who never will refufe them that Him feek. 

V. 

LORD ! If Thou wilt not my Soul deliver, 

1 muft into the pains of Hell for ever, 

Thy Vengeance there to fuffer Day and Night, 
And from thy precious Prefence banifli'd quite. 

VI. 
Is there no Merit in that Sacrifice, 
That Lamb who died for our Iniquities ? 
If there is none, contented be I mufl, 
For ever from thy Prefence to be thrufl, 

VIL 
Down into Hell, in Torments great to lye, 
With Damned Ghofts to all Eternity ; 
Where comfort never more is to be found. 
But forrows everlaftingly Abound ! 

VIII. 

LORD ! I now do come to Thee and plead. 

The Death of CHRIST, who for our fakes did bleed 
Upon the Crofs ; who did a curfed Death, 
That fo He might appeafe His Father's wrath. 

IX. 
Thy Juftice now is fully fatisfy'd, 
By JESUS CHRIST, who for me liv'd and died ; 
The debt we ow'd, Thy SON hath fully paid. 
And Peace with GOD, my Judge, by CHRIST is 

X. [made. 

Therefore with boldnefs to the Throne of Grace, 

1 come, expefting there to fee Thy face ; 
In JESUS CHRIST, the only Mercy Seat, 
Where GOD and gracious Souls do ever meet. 

At Harwich^ Your affeBionate Father., 

March 20th. GEORGE WEEKES. 

1728. FINIS. 



LOt-42 






^^ 






o V 



0°\ 






^feg^*- 









>^ ;. 



>^ 



'^^ 
'^^ 



> 



■^ 







o 






o 






-U 


^> 


^<^ 


;:- ^ 


^ , 




,H, • 


V' 







'-^ " 



'K 



"<-. 



,0' 



o 



o V 



i°--<^. 



^ 






.0 






o - , , o ,0 ^^ 

O O a * * Ox. > 








o 
o 



■^, 



o :- 



^o 



''■V^\ 



>'^' >:^: 






-^01/77^^ 




o « O x5> 



-^. .,<( 







<.%^^^* 

V '^^ 



%. 



